Minister must be unequivocal in support for Chief Constable – Clarke

Trevor Clarke MLA stated:

"The Chief Constable made it clear in his report to the Policing Board last week that the current number of deployable officers is simply insufficient to deliver the level of service he believes is necessary in Northern Ireland. As part of a policing recovery plan, he indicated that an additional 700 officers would be required.

To enable this recruitment, the Chief Constable urgently needs an increase in the budget at his disposal. This is an issue that should unite all public representatives who seek effective neighbourhood policing and strong crime investigation in our communities.

It is deeply regrettable that, instead of supporting the Chief Constable's appeal to the Prime Minister for additional resources, the Justice Minister endorsed her Permanent Secretary’s attempts to reprimand the Chief Constable for doing what is right for both policing and the public. This debate offers the Minister an opportunity to apologise and to express her unequivocal support for the Chief Constable.

The DUP is committed to ensuring the community has the most effective police service possible. We trust that other members of the Assembly will support this motion and that the Justice Minister will do everything in her power to back the Chief Constable and the rank-and-file officers of the PSNI."